Kozhikode: A jam-packed audience gathered on Kozhikode beach on the last day of the festival to witness protagonists discuss ‘Where is Theatre’ at the Kerala Literature Festival.
Eminent theatre personalities expressed their diverse opinions on theatre, ensuring active participation of the audience, at noon. Actor Joy Mathew said the theatre should adopt changes of time and technologies to survive.
“There is no need to worry about the stage," he said. "Those who have an interest will watch it and those who want it will get involved.” Youth are not interested in theatre, he feels, and they are more involved in short films. "There are amazing talents in that field," he said.
“Theatre should change according to time. If not, it is going to be extinct. What we are seeing in youth festivals are specimens only available at that particular stage and it will not come out of that frame.”
Satheesh K. Satheesh said Kerala society was not giving the same respect and recognition to theatre persons like in the West. “Here people still consider it as awkward when girls acting in theatre and not many talented female artists are coming to the field because of this mindset,” he said.
A. Shantha Kumar said the future of theatre was secure and a new generation will take it up further. Madhu Master said those who understood the difficulties choosing theatre as a career can better know what the ground realities is and those who have a silver spoon in the mouth may not able to understand it.
N. Sasidharan moderated the session.
